Richard F. (Dick) Anderson, 83, of Mount Vernon died Saturday, September 5, 2009 at Skagit Valley Hospital, following a lengthy illness. He was born on March 15, 1926 in Sedro Woolley, Washington, to Fred and Cecelia (Johnson) Anderson. Richard spent his growing up years in Marysville and graduated from Marysville High School in 1944. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy to serve his country, and while in the Navy he was stationed at Vernalis, California. During this time he was severely burned by hot oil when a catapult exploded while training pilots to land on aircraft carriers, and spent the remainder of WWII hospitalized. He was honorably discharged as a disabled veteran. After his discharge, Richard attended Western Washington State College and received his degree in Education. He was united in marriage to Margaret (Ruthford) in Burlington in 1949 and they would have celebrated 60 years together on September 16th. He taught at Burlington-Edison High School in 1951 then went into the banking business which took him to Southern California. Richard worked as Assistant Vice-President for U.S. National Bank in Santa Ana for 10 years and taught Economics classes at Orange Coast College before he and his family returned to the Skagit Valley. He retired from the State of Washington as an Assistant District Administrator after 24 years. Richard was an avid golfer for years and looked forward to his time on the fairway. He was an active Lion's Club member in Burlington in the 1950's and in Southern California. He was also active as a member of the Skagit Valley Eagles, Mount Vernon Moose, and Mount Vernon Elks Lodge 1604, where he went up the ranks as an officer becoming Exhalted Ruler in 2002-2003. He was instrumental in the planning and construction of the current Lodge. Richard is survived by his wife, Margaret of Mount Vernon, four children Mark R. Anderson of Burlington, Joanie Cochran of Oak Harbor, Catherine Kester of Mount Vernon and Jeffrey D. Anderson of Mount Vernon; six grandchildren: Rhonda (Brent) Estep of Woodland, Washington; Christian (Marilyn) Anderson of North Port, Florida; Colby Cochran of Kirkland; Claire Cochran of Oak Harbor; Daniel Kester of Burlington; and Brittney Anderson of Boise, Idaho. There are also seven great grandchildren, two brothers, Glen of Marysville, Washington and Dale of Clear View, Florida, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, September 12th at 1:00 pm at Hawthorne Funeral Home in Mount Vernon with a reception to follow at the Mount Vernon Elks Lodge. The family would like to thank the staff at Mountain Glen Retirement Center, Skagit Valley Hospital and the Skagit Valley Kidney Center for their care and support. Memorial donations may be made to the Tall Elks % BPOE 1604, 2120 Market St, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 or Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation, 1415 E Kinkaid St. Mount Vernon, WA 98274.